The Daily Numbers: 49 bucks, that’s how much more the average Delco homeowner would pay under the proposed county budget. That likely will be pared down.


3.8 percent increase in county spending next year. Officials indicate most of it is not new county spending, but shortfalls in state and federal subsidies.


2 more years for the Geo Group to be at the helm of the Delaware County Prison under a deal OK’d by County Council.


39 million dollars, what the county will pay Geo the first year, increasing to $40 million the second. That’s a 4 percent hike in costs.


250 bucks, what some top-achieving Academy Park students will win this year in a new program being funded by a Johnstown entrepreneur in an attempt to boost students’ interest and skills.


500 thefts, mostly car break-ins, being tied to a Bensalem man police are calling a one-man crime wave. As many as 1,000 items, mostly GPS devices, iPods and laptop computers, were ripped off from cars in Bucks County.


400 laptop computers donated to the Wireless Philadelphia project by Wayne-based Shire Pharmaceuticals.


70 people who showed up for a public hearing on a new study of the state’s education funding system last night in Upper Darby. The costing-out study suggests the state is woefully underfunding the education of our kids. Not that all that many people apparently care.


15, age of youth being sought in connection with the shooting of a 5-year-old in a Kensington home. Four kids, ages 2 to 11, were in the home at 1 a.m. The mother was not.


3,000 resumes from people seeking positions in the new government of Philadelphia mayor-elect Michael Nutter.


46 bucks, average cost of a live Christmas tree last year. That could be going up this year. Blame rising gas prices.


1 penny more at the pump, what we could be paying because of a $100 million deficit in a fund to fix damage from leaking underground fuel tanks.


1 penny more, what we’re already paying for gas now, with the Philly average standing at a wicked $3.12 a gallon.


4 Flyers who have been disciplined by the NHL so far this year for hits on opposing players.


2 wins against 1 loss, Andy Reid’s record against his old mentor Mike Holmgren, the coach of the Seahawks, who visit the Linc Sunday.



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Call me a Phanatic: A look at the ups and downs of being a Philadelphia sports fan.
Ya’ gotta love Jimmy Rollins. Predicts the Phils are the team to beat in the NL East last year. Backs it up by leading the Phils to a thrilling come-from-behind win over the Mets. Now he’s at it again. Rollins is looking for the Phils to win 100 games this year and steal the hearts of the city’s fans away from the Eagles. Uh, Jimmy, you may have already done that.

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I Don’t Get It: Two teens are being sought for allegedly trying to set a homeless man on fire in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. Nice.



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Today’s Upper: Academy Park has had its share of troubles. Now they’re going to try a new tack in getting kids interested in education. They’re going to put their money where their mouth is. Some high-achieving students could win $250 for doing well in school. If it works, we’re all for it.



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Quote Box: “I still think that is excellent financial management. It’s unreasonable to expect the county to never increase taxes again.”

-- County Council Chairman Andrew Reilly, on the prospects of the county’s first tax hike in four years.